Old Songs, a three-day festival celebrating traditional music and dance, usually held at the Altamont Fairgrounds in upstate New York on the last weekend in June, is partnering with Folk Music Notebook, the 24/7 internet folk radio channel created and curated by veteran folk DJ Ron Olesko, to present a virtual festival, June 26-28,2020. The audio-only event will feature new performances by artists who would have been at this year’s festival, along with archival recordings from past festivals.
“I am thrilled to work with Joy Bennett and the magnificent staff at Old Songs to bring this virtual festival to life [on FolkMusicNotebook.com],” said Olesko. “Old Songs has always held a special place in my heart. I go to a lot of different festivals, and each have a unique personality, but there is something extraordinary about Old Songs. The festival is held in a perfect setting at the Altamont Fairgrounds, just outside of Albany, New York. The grounds are a 4-H-style fair with various barns and buildings, so if it rains it is no big deal. The music is always diverse, drawing artists from all parts of the globe. They really abide by their motto of “music with roots,” and it is wonderful to discover the various cultures and the connections we share.”
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has made it impossible to have the festival at the fairgrounds this year, Olesko was eager to capture the spirit of Old Songs “and I think we have done it.” New performances by many of the artists who were slated to play the festival this summer are the centerpiece of the broadcasts that will air on FolkMusicNotebook.com. “They have graciously recorded sets from their homes, and we will be presenting these performances [on] Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, said Olesko.
Archival performances by many of the artists who have previously graced the festival’s stages will be featured during the day on Saturday and Sunday. These include Christine Lavin, Martin Carthy, the Georgia Sea Island Singers, the Johnson Girls, and James Keelagnan among others. Olesko noted that Bennett, Old Songs executive director for the past two years, has shared these recordings from the nonprofit organization’s archives that have not been heard since they were originally performed. An hour of Sacred Harp sings also is set to air on Sunday morning.
Throughout the weekend, listeners also will hear from some of the people who have guided Old Songs over its first 40 years. Andy Spence, the founder who guided the festival for its first 38 years, will discuss the origins of the event, while Bennett will talk about her experiences and what the future may hold for Old Songs. “We will also speak to Phil Teumin, the president of the board of directors for Old Songs Inc., about the other events that Old Songs organizes throughout the year,” Olesko added.
For her part, Bennett said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Ron on this project to help bring these performers into your homes, and look forward to working again with him at the 40th festival in 2021.”
The 2020 Virtual Old Songs Festival begins on Friday night, June 26, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. A full schedule will be posted online at FolkMusicNotebook.com.
Old Songs (https://festival.oldsongs.org) is a family-friendly festival of folk, traditional, Celtic and regional music and dance, known for its relaxed atmosphere, interactive sessions and workshops, hands-on experiences and participatory nature. In addition to three evening concerts, it usually features more than 100 daytime workshops, dances and performances., as well as a juried craft show, food and instrument vendors, and a children’s activity area.
Launched on May 3, 2019 — the 100th anniversary of the birth of late folk music icon Pete Seeger — Folk Music Notebook is a 24/7 online folk music channel that also can be accessed via free apps and listened to through your smartphones, car speakers, and other Bluetooth streaming devices. In addition to Olesko, Folk Music Notebook features programs hosted by other folk DJs. Olesko views the channel as “a place to ‘discover’ new artists and songs as well as honor the established names who created this living tradition.”
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